Optically writable holographic media

Abstract

An optically writable holographic card, an optically writable holographic media, and a method of making the media are herein described. The card has a media region that includes an optically writable material. The optically writable material has an holographic embossment such that an holographic image is producible by the optically writable material. The media includes an holographically embossed first layer. An optically writable, optically readable second layer conforms to the embossment. The holographic image is generable by the second layer. The method includes producing an holographic embossment associated with an holographic image. An optically writable layer is conformed to the holographic embossment. The holographic image is viewable in response to illuminating the optically writable layer. The optically writable layer is optically readable. The optically writable material on the card may support optically written digital data and an optically written image, or an optically written image having embedded digital data.

1 . A method of making an optically writable holographic media, the method comprising:
 producing an holographic embossment associated with an holographic image; and   conforming an optically writable layer to the holographic embossment; wherein
 the holographic image is viewable in response to illuminating the optically writable layer; and 
 the optically writable layer is optically readable. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of making an optically writable holographic media of  claim 1 , wherein producing an holographic embossment includes making or using a master embossing die having a surface relief corresponding to holographic interference fringes associated with the holographic image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of making an optically writable holographic media of  claim 1 , wherein conforming the optically writable layer to the holographic embossment imparts a surface relief to the optically writable layer corresponding to holographic interference fringes associated with the holographic image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of making an optically writable holographic media of  claim 1 , wherein producing the holographic embossment includes pressing or stamping a master embossing die into a moldable layer, or molding the moldable layer onto the master embossing die. 
     
     
         5 . The method of making an optically writable holographic media of  claim 1 , wherein producing the holographic embossment includes using ultraviolet light to cure a photopolymer applied to a master embossing die, the cured photopolymer forming a holographically embossed layer having the holographic embossment. 
     
     
         6 . An optically writable holographic media comprising:
 an holographically embossed first layer having an embossment corresponding to an holographic image; and   an optically writable, optically readable second layer that conforms to the embossment;   wherein the holographic image is generable by the second layer.   
     
     
         7 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 6  wherein the first layer includes an embossed acrylic layer. 
     
     
         8 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 6  wherein the first layer includes an ultraviolet light cured photopolymer. 
     
     
         9 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 6  further including an adhesive layer. 
     
     
         10 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive layer includes a heat transfer adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive layer includes an ultraviolet light cured photopolymer. 
     
     
         12 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 6  further including a release layer. 
     
     
         13 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 6  further including a transparent layer. 
     
     
         14 . The optically writable holographic media of  claim 6  wherein the second layer includes a material that is color-changing, phase-changing, photochromic, write once or erasable, or forms bubbles, pits or bumps in response to optical writing. 
     
     
         15 . An optically writable holographic card comprising:
 a card; and   a media region on the card that includes an optically writable material having an holographic embossment such that an holographic image related to the holographic embossment is producible by the optically writable material.   
     
     
         16 . The optically writable holographic card of  claim 15  wherein the optically writable material supports optically written digital data and an optically written image. 
     
     
         17 . The optically writable holographic card of  claim 15  wherein the optically writable material includes an optically written image having embedded digital data. 
     
     
         18 . The optically writable holographic card of  claim 15  wherein the optically writable material has embossed track numbers. 
     
     
         19 . The optically writable holographic card of  claim 15  wherein the optically writable material has embossed track delineations. 
     
     
         20 . The optically writable holographic card of  claim 15  wherein the optically writable material has an optically written pattern that generates an holographic image.